The Biodiversity Research Group at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Yunnan, invites applications from experienced scientists with interests related to plant biodiversity and conservation in tropical and subtropical China, and Southeast Asia. The Biodiversity Research Group forms part of the Center for Integrative Conservation at XTBG, which focuses on applying state-of-the art science to practical conservation questions.   

We welcome applications from specialists in a wide range of botanical fields, including ecology, conservation biology, taxonomy, ethnobotany, phylogeny, population genetics, climate change biology, pollination biology, ex situ conservation, conservation policy, and botanical education, as long as the proposed research contributes to our ultimate goal of conserving plant diversity in the region.  

Applicants need a track record of publications in the leading scientific journals in their field and a vision for future research that makes use of the opportunities that XTBG offers. Xishuangbanna is in tropical southwest China, near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, and showcases both the great diversity of the tropics and the many challenges of conserving it.  

Uniquely for the region, XTBG offers state-of-the-art research facilities in a rural location, surrounded by a mosaic of forest fragments and plantation agriculture. XTBG has strong links with other research institutions in Yunnan, on-going research collaborations in Myanmar and Thailand, and ambitious plans for Laos. Put ‘Xishuangbanna’ in any academic search engine to see the diversity of the research being done in this part of China.  

This group is led by Professor Richard Corlett, who is also head of the Center for Integrative Conservation. XTBG is part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), through which these appointments will be made. Please visit the garden's website at http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ for more information about XTBG. 

Applying for the positions: 

Applicants should submit a CV including contact details for three referees, a statement of research interests/plans, and pdfs of representative publications. Please send these materials to Prof. Richard Corlett (corlett@xtbg.org.cn). Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the positions will remain open until filled. 

 If you have questions, please contact Prof Richard Corlett (corlett@xtbg.org.cn).